Neither kennel nor shop, dog day cares have no place in zoning code

KATHY MULAD, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

By KATHY MULADY, P-I REPORTER

Published 10:00 pm, Sunday, September 24, 2006

Kristen Smith, an employee at Great Dog day care, brushes a client's dog at the facility in the Northgate area. The dog day care looks after about 60 dogs each day.
Photo: Dan DeLong/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Great Dog day care is home away from home for Luka, Grendel, Rusty, Annie, Loki, Misty and Sam, some of the "regulars" who come to the center for playtime, grooming, walks, field trips or to just laze in the sun while their owners are at work.

While dog day cares were rare just a few years ago, there are now more than 20 in Seattle, according to numbers provided by dog day care operators.

But while the concept is good for dogs and their busy owners, it has created a dilemma for the city -- where do these businesses belong?

Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago's transportation committee will take public comment Tuesday on proposed changes to the land-use code, which would allow dog day cares in neighborhood commercial zones and business districts. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

"This is an emerging kind of business not addressed in the land-use code," said Mike Podowski, with the city's planning department.

Now, pet day cares are permitted under dog kennel rules and are allowed only downtown and in industrial areas. Pet stores and grooming services are permitted in commercial areas. The city is considering changes in zoning rules that would allow dog day cares in more areas of the city to serve an increasing demand and make it more convenient for people to drop off pets on their way to work.

Great Dog was almost closed down a year ago by the city after a neighbor complained. After four years in business, the city said the Roosevelt Way location was inappropriate for a "kennel," the only designation for the business, since the "dog day care" description doesn't exist in city code.

"Basically, that's what got everything rolling," said Leslie Csokasy,one of the owners of Great Dog.

"We feel strongly that dog day cares need to be in neighborhood commercial zones," Csokasy said.

She said Seattle has more dogs than children; 62 percent of the city's residents have dogs.

"Dog day cares are a burgeoning business," she said. "A dog day care is no more noisy than children on a playground."

Csokasy and others worked with the city's department of planning and development on new city rulesclassifying dog day cares as neighborhood services allowed in areas with other businesses, such as car repair shops, grocery stores, pet groomers and pet stores.

"We aren't asking to be located in residential areas," Csokasy said.

Great Dog has 348 active clients, but handles about 60 dogs each day at its 7,000-square-foot facility, which includes an outdoor play area. The day care is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For nearby businesses, the biggest concerns about a bustling dog day care moving in next door are the potential noise from barking and growling, odors, extra traffic and maybe an escaped animal.

The proposed ordinance up for public comment tomorrow requires all outdoor areas connected to the day care to be fully enclosed. Under the new rules, businesses would be required to havea permit from Public Health -- Seattle & King County to operate. They also would be required to provide written operating procedures, such as how they will take care of animal behavior problems, including excessive barking.

Just like at child day care facilities, most dog owners park briefly at the center, just long enough to drop off or pick up their pets. Some dog day cares even have valet service. The proposed new rules would require one parking space for each staff member, and one space for every 10 animals permitted at the day care.

Csokasy said a dog has never escaped from her center, and she has even temporarily taken in dogs roaming the streets until their owners could be contacted.